Why does Sanatan Sanstha not quote scriptures

Sanatan Sanstha has its own brand of Sanatan Dharma

Sanatan Sanstha says that it is dedicated to spirituality as per Sanatan Dharma. It is engaged in the providing education on Dharma in scientific terminology. In spite of such lofty ideals, it does not quote any religious texts. There is nothing on Bhagwad Geeta, nothing on Ramayana and the website is totally silent on Ramayana, not to mention vedas and puranas. Then, which Sanatan Dharma is being taught, which Dharma is being discussed during satsangs and various dharma sabhas.

Low on content, low on quotes

Sanatan Sanstha does not quote extensively from any holy scriptures. There are hardly any detailed discussions on such scriptures during satsangs and dharma sabhas. An impression is given that these vedas and puranas have been studied extensively, however, no chapter reference is given. We are asked to purchase required holy texts by ourselves; there is no library in the kendra. But, there is a huge stock of Sanatan’s publications. We are told that they will provide us with all the required information. We will get complete education through them as they are based on the holy texts; they are based on the principles of Sanatan Dharma.

The publications (the sanstha claims that there are more than 200 such publications, all written in easy to understand language and with scientific explanations). They say that these publications have been translated into 14 languages and more than 7 lakh copies have been sold. The main page has a link to “Treasure of Holy Texts”, however, it is not operational. Are there really any such discussions on holy texts? Have these been read and understood by any sadhak? Does Sanatan Sanstha provide for a healthy discussion among sadhaks? Are these holy texts explained to sadhaks by the saints?

The answer to all this is a big NO.

The brand Dr Jayant Athavale

Instead of quotations and explanations, the publications are full of quotes by Dr Jayant Athavale. Explanations and references to holy texts are very vague. However, it is always mentioned that Guru has studied these scriptures, understood them and is presenting them in a simplified manner so we can understand them. There were times when I would not agree with the explanation, I needed more information or explanation; my logic of understanding them was different. I was asked to do naamjap and focus on my Guru. This would help me to understand. This was because of my ego; my ego was saying that I knew more about spirituality than my Guru and Sanatan Sanstha.

It is quite obvious that Dr Jayant Athavale is trying to build an empire through a band of loyal followers. The spiritual upliftment and spiritual knowledge feed to us has his stamp on it. He is using psychology to undermine our thinking powers. He is trying to control our minds through actions. This is not hypnotism; it is mind control; pure and simple.

But, now I am far gone to understand these things. I have transformed myself into a zombie under control of Sanatan Sanstha.

Why Does Sanatan Sanstha Say Guru is Everything

Sanatan Sanstha starts differentiating

I am now totally enamoured by Sanatan Sanstha. I am a changed person. My beliefs have undergone a drastic change. I am unlearning the past experiences and learning new things; absorbing new ideas and beliefs. My opinions are changing; my behaviour is changing. Sanatan has worked its magic band on me and has created a different persona through psychological methods. Dr Jayant Athavale has used his experience and education to brainwash me without any outward hypnotic methods. I am mesmerised by the sanstha.

The focus is now on differentiating the sanstha from others. The changes are subtle and far-reaching.

Guru is everything says Sanatan Sanstha

They have been stressing the importance of the Guru in spiritual pursuits. Our Vedas and Puranas and other holy scriptures say that the Guru is a guiding star; his role is to take us on the correct path; to show us the correct path.Sanatan Sanstha quotes extensively from such holy books.

Sanatan starts off by teaching me these from the scriptures. Guru and Gurukrupayoga are stressed in all satsangs. They start with a prayer to a God and then a prayer to the Guru seeking his blessings. Slowly the tempo is built up. I think of my guru; Dr Jayant Balaji Athavale, as the only true person in this world. I think that only his preaching is correct. Sanatan Dharma is Sanatan Sanstha and Jayant Athavale is everything. I see the sadaks everywhere; I feel the presence of Sanatan everywhere – in all my actions, all my behaviour and all my thoughts. I am because of the sanstha.

Chaitanya at Sanatan Sanstha

My thoughts are filled with feelings of Chaitanya because of Sanatan Sanstha. I feel Chaitanya everywhere. I am so full of it that I forget everything else. I go through the daily chores as if I am in a trance. I cook because of the need for cooking, I eat because my physical body needs food – not to satisfy my family’s needs. I forget many household chores; I do not do them on time. My daughter falls behind in her studies, I think it is because of her prarabdha, the karmas of past lives. We have to experience them; we have to live through them and do good karma. Then only we can nullify them. I do not share my daughter’s prarabdha, hence I am free of it. I have no part in it.

My Guru is protecting me. My Sanatan Sanstha is protecting me.

I have an easy solution to my daughter’s problems; she should join whole-heartedly with me. The Chaitanya and Guru’s blessings will get rid of her bad karma. That is the only solution. My husband wants me to concentrate on her; wants me to devote time. But, where do I have the time? I ask him to do so. Another fight, another smart bomb.

My Guru is everything, My Sanatan Sanstha is everything. I don’t need anything else in life. I want Mooksha and only Dr Jayant Athavale can give it to me. Nobody else can and nobody else will. My soul is crying for freedom from the physical body.

Broken Dreams and Broken Relationships.

Sanatan Sanstha and the Veil

What is Sanatan Sanstha

Sanatan Sanstha’s website states that it is a charitable trust. They seek to impart spiritual knowledge through personal guidance for spiritual upliftment and, also inculcate religious behavior. This is their stated aims. The sanstha is based at Ramnathi, a small village on the outskirts of Ponda, Goa, India. They have a huge ashram there and it operates as their headquarters. They have another ashram at Devad, Panvel near Mumbai, Maharashtra. Another ashram is said to be at Miraj, Maharashtra.

The sanstha operates through various branches. Sanatan Sanstha does not own any of them, these branches operate from the residences of the sadhaks – their followers. These branches may have several sub-offices under them. A typical hierarchical structure with a minimum cost of operations. There is very little information on the number of followers, the way things are organized and operations. All part of the veil. All information strictly on need to know basis, a secretive society formed with unknown intentions.

Hierarchy and Sanatan Sanstha:

 The hierarchy at the Sanstha is designed so the flow of information is easily controlled. Outsiders cannot get any inkling of the Ashram, why outsiders, even the followers are not aware of its true intent. Sanatan Sanstha wants to control everything and anything. I know because I was part of an inner circle, I was one constituent of a small wheel inside many wheels.

The reporting structure is very devious and is cloaked in spiritual terms. Yes, they use spiritual terminology as a cloak. They hide behind it, they use it to justify themselves and stop all unwanted, unwarranted questions. All followers – sadhaks report to a branch in charge. The branch in charge is decided by the reporting Ashram head. The branch in charge reports to another sevak who is based at one of the ashrams. The ashram has several coordination departments – called समन्वय विभाग. All prim and proper.

Flow of information:

Control, control and control. Three important words at Sanatan Sanstha. Not told to anybody, but practised day in and day out, every hour of the day and every minute of the hour. Need to know and question the need to know. But do not show this face to others. Let them think that we are open, everything is open.

And that also brings us to the title of the blog “sanatanveil”. More on that later…

The flow of information is one-way, from bottom to top. The other way is just instructions, what to do, when to do and how to do. Questions are encouraged if they support the set of instructions, instructions cannot be questioned, they must be followed. Instructions are all verbal, nothing is ever given in writing. Writing commits oneself, yes, we are instructed on this, but again I will come back at a later stage. Sanatan Sanstha is not open, it is very hierarchal society, it is very secretive.

Why should it be like this? Why is there no openness? What prevents them from being open about themselves? Why do they give an impression of being open when they are not open?

Questions, questions and more questions. Sanatan Sanstha does not like questions, it will not answer them, it is not supposed to answer them. You are not supposed to question Sanatan Sanstha Goa. Follow the instructions and you will get Mooksh. Question them and I become an evil spirit, a demon. I cannot be reformed; I should be thrown out.

I did and was thrown out. But I could not stop my conscience from biting me. I will not let my conscience bit me.